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Importance Of Colonialism In Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

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Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a novel about the fictional village of Umuofia that experiences the drastic changes brought by the arrival of white missionaries from Europe. The protagonist, Okonkwo, is a well-respected native warrior of the Umuofia clan who must face the challenges that are forcefully brought to his village, while witnessing the changes that unfold around him. Though the narrative itself is fictional, Achebe bases Things Fall Apart on the numerous stories from 19th century Nigeria, which also serves as the setting of the novel, at the time of European colonization. Coming from a Nigerian background, Achebe establishes a message against colonialism through the utilization of rhetorical devices, which, in turn transforms the novel into a staple in postcolonial literature. Things Fall Apart is a staple in postcolonial literature as Chinua Achebe presents his argument against colonialism through the utilization of setting and characterization. Chinua Achebe’s negative depiction of British colonial domination is supported by his choice of setting. In order to fully highlight the negative impacts of colonial rule, Things Fall Apart divides into three parts, with each part corresponding to a certain period of pre, mid, and post-colonialism. In Part I of the novel, Achebe provides insight to traditional tribal life in the Nigerian village of Umuofia before colonialism, through the inclusion and focus on the specific traditions, superstitions, and religious

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